Brooklyn-based artist Brian Donnelly, better know by his alias, KAWS, with his "Companion" (Resting Place) at a major survey exhibition of his work, "KAWS: Where the End Starts," at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. (Nan Coulter/Special Contributor)

Let's call it a case of KAWS and effect.

Showcase the iconic work of KAWS — that's the alias for New York artist Brian Donnelly — and all kinds of cool things happen.

First, there's the show itself: "KAWS: Where the End Starts" runs through Jan. 22 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and is a spectacle of sculpture, paintings, drawings, toys and street art.

Second, there's the merch. In the Modern's gift shop, KAWS-related items are selling like artistic hotcakes. Kendal Smith-Lake, the spokeswoman for the Modern, says: "We sold out of toys in a few hours in-store and immediately online. We still have T-shirts and tote bags available." The Modern expects more toys but only as the gift shop receives new shipments.

So who is KAWS? He's a Brooklyn-born artist whose eye-popping presentation includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, toys and street art that spans the world of graffiti, pop art and consumer culture. It's work that carries with it wit, irreverence and even affection for the times we live in. Influences include the Smurfs, the Simpsons, SpongeBob, Hanna-Barbera and Peanuts to form an artistic vocabulary like no other.

PLAN YOUR LIFE: "Kaws: Where the End Starts," through Jan. 22 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., 817-738-9215, themodern.org.